Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-02-02
"Git do,cn,' said uoice in the darkness.

"Git do,cn," said voice in the darkness.
All the passengers except Hale started.
The man next to him moved his right hand
suddenly behind him, but as quickly stopped.
One Of the motionless trees had apparently
closed upon the vehicle, and what had seemed
Ito be a bough projecting from it at right
angles changed slowly into the family shin
ing double barrels Of gun at the window -
aDrop that" said the voice.
The man who had moved uttered short
laugh and returned his hand empty to his
knees Tie two others perceptibly shrugged
their shoulders as over game that was lost.
The remaining passenger, John Hale, fearless
by nature, inexperienced by habit, awaking
suddenly to the truth, conceived desperate
resistance. But without his making q ges-
ture this was instinctively felt by the others;
the muzzle Of the gun turned spontaneously
on him, and he was vaguely conscious OF
certain contempt and impatience of him in
his companions.
"Git down." repeated the voice impera-
lively.
The three passengers descended Hale,
furious, alert, but helpless OF any opportu-
nifty, followed. He was surprised to find the
stage driver and express messenger standing
beside him; he had not heard them dismount.
He instinctiyely looked toward the horses.
He could see nothing
@Hold up your hands,"
One Of the passengers had already lifted
his, in weary. perfunctory way. The others
did the same reluctantly and 'awkwardly,
but apparently more from the consciousness
of the !udicrousness of their attitude than
from any sense of danger. The rays of
bulls eye lantern, deftly managed by in
visible hands, while it left the intruders in
shadow, completely illuminated the faces and
figures of the passengers. In spite Of the
majestic obscurity and silence of surround
ing nature, the group Of humanity thus il
Illuminated was more farcical than dramatic.
A scrap of newspaper, part of sandwich,
and an orange peel that had fallen from the
floor of the coach, brought into equal prom
inence by the searching light, completed the
absurdity
@There is a man here with package Of
greenbacks," said a voice, with an official
GOODNESS that lent certain suggestion Of
custom house inspection to the transaction;
swho is it," The passengers looked at each
other, and their glance finally settled on
Hale.
aIt's not him." continued the voice, with
slight tinge of contempt on the emphasis.
"You'l save time and searching, gentlemen,
if you'll tote it out If we've got to 60
through every one of you we'll try to make
it pay"
The significant threat was not unheeded.
stage stopped put his hand to his breast.
"T'other pocket first, if you please" said
the voice.
The man laughed, drew pistol from his
hip pocket and, under the strong light Of the
lantern, laid it on spot in the road indicated
By the voice. A thick envelope, taken from
his breast pocket, was laid beside it. II told
the ID fools that gave it to me, instead Of
sending it by express, it would be at their
own risk" he said apologetically.
"As it's going with the express row it's oil
the same" said the inevitable hunSorist OF the
occasion, pointing 10 the despoied express
treasure box already in the road.
The intention and deliberation of the out
rage was plain enough to Hale's inexperience
now. Yet he could not understand the cool
acquiescence of his fellow passengers, and
was furious His reflections were interrupted
BY a voice which seemed to come from
greater distance. He fancied it was even
softer in tone, es if certain austerity was
relaxed.
"Step in as quick as you like, gentlemen.
You've five minutes to wait, Bill"
The passengers reentered the coach; the
driver and express messenger Lurriediy
climbed to their places. Hale would have
spoken, but an impatient gesture from his
companions stopped him. They were evi-
dently listening for something; he listened
too
Yet the silence remained unbrolen. 1t
seemed incredible that there should be no in
dication near or far of that forceful presence
which moment ago had been so dominant
No rustic in the wayside "brlsh' nor echo
from the rocky canyon below betrayed
sound of their flight. A faint breeze stirred
the tall tips Of the pines, a cone dropped on
the stage roof, one Of the invisible horses
that seemed to be listening too, moved slight
ly in his harness. But this only appeared to
accentuate the profound stiffness. The mo
ments were growing interminable when the